LOUDONVILLE, NY – A new program record three Siena Men's Basketball student athletes have been named to the 2021-22 National Association of Basketball Coaches Honor Court. Michael Baer, Robert Mahala, and Jackson Stormo all received recognition for their academic prowess.
 
"Academic success is a core value of the NABC and a priority shared by men's basketball programs across the country," said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. "Excellence in the classroom requires hard work and dedication, and the NABC considers it a privilege to honor these deserving student athletes and the coaches and staff who support them."
 
Over 2,000 collegiate men's basketball student athletes were named to the 2021-22 NABC Honors Court, whose criteria requires the nominee to academically be either a junior, senior, or graduate student academically, hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2021-22 academic year, and compete for an NCAA Division I, II, or III or NAIA Division I or II institution with an NABC member coach.
 
Baer earns NABC Honors Court acclaim for the third straight season. The Bettendorf, Iowa native previously received recognition in each of his final two years at Iowa before matriculating to Siena. Baer recently completed his first year of graduate studies at Siena, where he currently holds a stellar 3.66 cumulative GPA while pursuing his master's degree in business. Named to Siena College's President's List this past semester, he was this year's recipient of the Siena Men's Basketball Reverend Benjamin Kuhn, OFM Student Athlete Award. Baer was also previously a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Athlete and All-Big Ten honoree following each of his three seasons suiting up for the Hawkeyes. On the court, he was the only Saint this past season to appear in all 29 games, and made five starts while averaging 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.8 minutes of action.  
 
Mahala receives NABC Honors Court recognition for the second straight year. The Jackson, New Jersey product achieved a 3.48 cumulative GPA while graduating in May with his degree in business. A walk-on who served as a two-time team captain, Mahala was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team and Academic Honor Roll in each year of eligibility. He appeared in nine games during his final season with the Saints, totaling nine points in 29 minutes of action.
 
Stormo also earns NABC Honors Court acclaim for the second straight season, after joining Mahala as one of Siena's two honorees last year. The Santa Barbara, California standout posted a 3.41 cumulative GPA, while earning his undergraduate degree in Communications-Sports this spring. Stormo was heralded as Siena College's Leo Dufort December 2021 Male Student Athlete of the Month, and was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team at the conclusion of the season. An academic standout throughout his collegiate career, he was previously named to the West Coast Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and was a two-time Pepperdine Scholar Athlete during his time with the Waves. A team captain this past year, Stormo averaged 11.1 points and ranked fourth in the MAAC in blocks (1.3), sixth in field goal percentage (.536), and eighth in rebounding (6.8), while scoring in double figures 16 times and posting three double-doubles. Both Stormo and Baer are set to return to Siena for their additional year of eligibility this coming season.
 
About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest "Phog" Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.com.